our climate is not for sale: say no to carbon trading expansion at COP 17

The briefing by Friends of the Earth International critiques carbon trading and offsetting, specifically the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), as mechanisms that lock in fossil fuel dependency and facilitate human rights abuses. It warns that proposed expansions at COP 17—including sectoral crediting, soil carbon markets, and the inclusion of carbon capture and storage (CCS)—will further undermine global climate goals. The author advocates for a systemic transition to renewable energy and the provision of public, additional climate finance instead of market-based mechanisms.

• Carbon trading, specifically 'cap and trade' and 'offsetting', is described as a 'false solution' that enables developed countries to avoid their legal and moral obligations to lead in emissions reductions.
• The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) incentivizes the continued use of fossil fuels in developing countries by granting credits for projects like coal-fired power stations.
• Carbon market mechanisms are associated with social injustices, including land grabs and human rights violations, such as a project in Honduras where a developer reportedly killed 23 farmers.
• The distribution of CDM projects is highly unequal, with 45 per cent of projects and 57 per cent of credits issued in China, while Sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa) accounts for only 0.9 per cent of projects and 0.005 per cent of credits.
• The document identifies several specific risks associated with proposed expansions at COP 17, including 'new market mechanisms' like NAMA crediting, soil carbon markets, and the eligibility of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) for CDM projects.
• REDD+ is criticized for potentially benefiting corporate investors while threatening the cultures and livelihoods of Indigenous Peoples and forest-dependent communities.

APA

Friends of the Earth International (n.d.). our climate is not for sale: say no to carbon trading expansion at COP 17. https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Carbon-Markets-Briefing-for-web.pdf

Chicago

Friends of the Earth International. our climate is not for sale: say no to carbon trading expansion at COP 17. n.d. https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Carbon-Markets-Briefing-for-web.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Friends of the Earth International |title=our climate is not for sale: say no to carbon trading expansion at COP 17 |url=https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Carbon-Markets-Briefing-for-web.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{friendsoftheearthinternationalndour, author = {{Friends of the Earth International}}, title = {{our climate is not for sale: say no to carbon trading expansion at COP 17}}, institution = {Friends of the Earth International}, url = {https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Carbon-Markets-Briefing-for-web.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }